3 Milwaukee Bucks who definitely won’t be back next season

1. Khris Middleton

The decision for Middleton to return is mostly up to him, as he holds a player option for nearly $40 million. Earlier in the seasons it seemed likely he would decline that option and find a new home, looking for the security of extra years on his next deal, something the Bucks might not be willing to commit to. But as the season unfolded, that scenario only got murkier.

This was a disastrous season for Middleton. He was healthy enough to play in just 33 games, shot 31.7 percent from beyond the arc, and watched his impact as an isolation scorer and wing defender almost completely evaporate. He still has value as a 3-and-D-plus option but the Bucks would probably prefer he opt out and open up that cap space. And it’s hard to imagine them being interested in signing him to a long-term extension at 31, given how much his game has already dropped off.

But Middleton’s prospects of earning a similar long-term extension on the open market have also declined and there is no guarantee he finds a better deal anywhere else. It may be in his best interests to take the $40 million and try to redeem some of his value before hitting free agency the following summer. If he does return though, it will probably be for a limited run as the Bucks would have to seriously consider trading him during the season to recoup any possible value before he leaves.

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